CENTRAL SPLENDOURGUATEMALA
THE LAKE TIKAL AND ITS VOLCANO IN HEART OF THE WORLD MAYA

Discovery

Ground of the Mayas and the volcanos, Guatemala brings happiness travellers attracted by the diversity of its landscapes, its splendid historic buildings, its mysterious culture and its vestiges. Indeed, this small region of Central America has the many ones and attractive wonders. To travel to Guatemala east before any synonym of discovered traditions and pagan beliefs. You also will venture you in tropical jungles with luxuriant nature. Lake Atitlan with its majestic volcanos, via the area of Coban and its green fields of plantation; all is impressive there. Also discover the natural wealth of Rio Dulce, the cascades of Semuc Champey, the jungle of Petén, Chichicastenango, the pretty town of Antigua, the pyramids of Tikal de Yaxha or Aguateca… Your conquest of the mysterious Maya civilisation in Guatemala will be only more authentic!

Identity

Ideally located between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Guatemala books to its visitors of the varied and stunning landscapes. A travel to Guatemala is indeed the occasion to discover natural sites of any beauty like the national park Laguna Lachuga, the lake Atitlan, the oasis of Semuc Champey favourable with a paradisiac bathe in fresh water and turquoise of its natural pools, or the greatest concentration of active volcanos of Central America which it is possible to explore via trekkings organized for most sporting.

Of curious and accessible nature, the Guatemalans like to share their history, their tradition and their culture with the visitors. Your travel will be a formidable experiment accompanied by these inhabitants out of commun run. You will be surprised by their kindness. Share their daily newspaper while going in the many markets of street and by visiting certain villages of the country.

Culture & Traditions

MAYAN SITES

The Guatemalan territory is strewn with more incredible Mayan sites the ones than the others. This old population occupied Guatemala several centuries ago. However part of this population is still present on the territory and their traces are quite present, in particular in Tikal, El Mirador, Copan or in Abaj Tak Alik…

NATURE

Guatemala is a jewel of nature. Its panoramas out of commun run will leave you without voice. Begin your day while surfing on the most beautiful Latin America Lake and by climbing the volcanos. Stop your day by trotting you in the jungle, by bathing you in natural pools or let try itself by the beaches of Guatemala.

SEMUC CHAMPEY

Semuc Champey is described per many people like the most imposing place of Guatemala. Its natural limestone bridge where is a series of basins with water turquoises is the ideal place for a bathe. Although this corner of paradise is difficult access, this experiment is especially not to be missed.

ETHNIC MINORITIES

Guatemala still lodges the famous population of the Maya which is divided into four different groups. Quiches, Mam, Kekchiet Kaqchiquel. The latter live mainly in high-are in hiding Guatemalan. You will be able to also go to the meeting of Chinkas, Ladinos and Garifunas.

Essential

In Guatemala, the climate is tropical though more moderate in altitude. On the level as of coastal areas as in the lowlands of North the weather is hot and wet. However, in the regions higher the weather is dry and the temperature can vary much with altitude. The best period to visit Guatemala is the dry season of the end of November to April. 

20°
THE QUETZAL GUATEMALTEQUE
-7 WINTER / -8 SUMMER
SPANISH
GUATEMALA CITY
PEPIÀN / TAPADO

Form your trip

The stages

GUATEMALA CITY

True capital with the multiple facets, Guatemala City is dissociated in several fields. Its cultural wealth is remarkable from its a large number of exceptional museums which report its history. The subtropical climate offers to him pleasant temperatures throughout the year. In spite of the presences of immense buildings to the contemporary paces, the heart of the old city was preserved and contains monuments which deserve a turning. Its green parks have also very to allure the traveller in search of discovered and of relaxation.

FLORES

The quiet and charming small town of Flora is located on an island at the center of the Maya world. It is in the middle of the imposing lake Petén Itza. This point of appointment of the travellers will surely surprise you by his charm and its preserved nature! The sites of Yaxha and Topoxte are most remarkable of the island. Once arrived, you will cope with a large tropical forest which shelters a very interesting fauna like the toucans, the monkeys howlers, the parrots… The site offers a spectacular sight on the jungle of Petén. It is the same for the Ixpanpajul natural park where you can balance yourselves through the forests on a Tyrolienne, carry out a beautiful walk on Sky-Way, or ride a horse… For one afternoon of relaxation, one strolls in the dugout or a bathe in warm waters of the lake will be also appreciated.

TIKAL

Tikal is defined by the Guatemalans and visitors conquered like one of the most beautiful sites of the Maya culture. You will be able to admire the immense pyramids of Tikal in particular there, old capital of one of the most powerful kingdoms of the old Mayas. The park is registered with the World heritage of UNESCO since 1979. Located in the middle of the jungle, its access is relatively easy, contrary to other monuments such as the Watchtower or Piedras Negras which are let discover only at the cost of long hours of walk in the jungle.

LAKE ATITLAN

Known as being the most beautiful lake of the world, Lago Atitlan comes from the volcanic eruption of volcanos: Santiago Volcan, volcano San Lucas and San Pedro Tollman. You will be able to surf on water by contemplating its natural beauty and its seven splendid colors. One strolls in the dugout will also enable you to go to the volcanos, which you will be able to climb to profit from a magic panoramic view on the lake, in particular with the rising and the sunset!

ANTIGUA

Old capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala, Antigua is located at the center of the country. Surrounded by three volcanos, it is a city which filled with wonder the Spanish colonists at the 16th century. Shaken by many earthquakes, it was abandoned as a capital with the profit of Guatemala City. One can find still there ruins caused by the earthquakes with repetition. Registered with the world heritage of UNESCO since 1979, the city accommodates many travellers. Several old buildings are worth the turning: the palace of the Captain-Generals with his frontage with colonnades, the cathedral San José and the Convent of the Nasturtiums. Considered for its culture of the coffee and its production of chocolate, Antigua accommodates a museum of the cocoa and proposes guided tours of its coffee plantations!

PANAJACHEL

Established on the Atitlan lakeshores, the picturesque village of Panajachel is the ideal starting point to visit Santa Antonio Palopo, San Lucas Toliman, Santiago Atitlan and San Pedro. Nevertheless, there are not only the surrounding pueblos which make the fame of this village. Main door towards the “country of spring eternal” and its pleasant climate, Panajachel guarantees a cultural stay of quality to you, through the traces of the Maya civilisation and the vestiges of strongly catholic Spanish colonization. Preserving, Panajachel offers opportunity to you of meeting in the lanes of the natives worn their traditional clothes. In the street, do not hesitate to haggle over the singular artisanal objects which the Maya Indians originating in any Solola propose to you. You can, indeed, unearth splendid articles of memories, coloured fabrics and Maya statues at competitive price. Benefit from an excursion in boat around the lake to join Santiago Atitlan and do not miss the occasion to discover the crystalline funds of the water supply point. For a total expatriation, leave on a tour of many traditional villages built around the Lake Atitlan. You will see the Maya women affairer with the same determination as their mothers and their grandmothers in front of their power looms without age.

MONTERRICO

Monterrico is on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala, in the department of Santa Rosa. While traversing its mangrove swamps, its rivers and its beaches, you will discover the other hidden side of Guatemala. The splendour of its landscape and its rich biodiversity make nature reserve of Monterrico an ideal escapade at 3 hours of Guatemala City. Along the mangrove swamps of more than 20 km, you will see a broad variety of birds, watery fauna and flora. You will also have the opportunity of seeing the 25 lagoons of the site. Also visit its reserve of turtle, its island with the birds and its beaches with black sand. You will understand quickly why, thanks to its biotope of a new beauty, Monterrico appears among the seaside resorts most appreciated by the visitors.

SANTA LUCIA

Located on the Peaceful slope, in the department of Escuintla, Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa is a city which preserves many archaeological treasures of the pre-olmèque civilisation. It is one of the most interesting places of the area to make the discovery of the culture of Pipils influenced by the Mayas. On the site of Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa, you will see series of low-reliefs representing of the mysterious scenes (decapitation), of the sculptures of heads and many steles dating from the beginning of the Life century after J. - C. the area of Escuintla is also known for its culture of sugar cane and cocoa. A few kilometres from Santa Lucía, you can also visit the site of Monte Alto, equipped with enigmatic sculptures representing of large heads of olmèque style. The sites of the fincas, Bilbao and El Baúl, are most extraordinary of the area. Further, west of Santa Lucia, you will discover the archaeological site of Abaj Takalik which is one of older vestiges of the Maya civilisation.

QUETZALTENANGO

Surrounded by mountains and volcanos, Quetzaltenango, also called Xela or Xelaju, offer of extraordinary landscapes where you will pass a pleasant stay. Second plus big city of Guatemala, Quetzaltenango is at 2,300 meter altitudes with a moderate climate. Still little attended tourists, it makes it possible to discover the Indian culture and traditions which are still present there. The excursions, the races in mountains, the visit of Indian villages and the sources of warm water guarantee one day charged to you, under the sign of the discovery and of the adventure. Quetzaltenango also conceals few splendid buildings not to miss. Discover the church of San Andres Xecul, the church of Salcajà, the Georginas fountains, the metropolitan cathedral or the Centroamerica park… Do not forget to pass to the market of the city to contemplate a show of colors. The city is surrounded by volcanos of which some are still active. You can for example show an excursion on the Volcano Santa Maria (Santiaguito) by far some eruptions.

TILAPITA

Tilapita, charming fishing village, is located at a few minutes of Lancha de Tilapa. You will appreciate his peace, which makes an ideal place of it to be released, rocked by the noise the waves. In this little place of paradise, you will observe, with a little chance, of the small tortoises hatcheries as well as olive-greenish tortoises. With regard to the gastronomy, it is re-elected for its seafoods, like the large fried fish plate, the seafood prawns and the large bowls. The evening, you will be able to offer a beautiful walk on foot on black sand in order to benefit from an impressive view on the sunset!

NEBAJ

Nebaj is the most important Ixil city. It is located in a valley green and surrounded by a mountainous decoration. The city has a pretty church, a market coloured because of its fabric stands. It constitutes the starting point for ballades and excursions in the surrounding hills. You will be able to thus discover Finca San Antonio where one of best cheeses of the country is produced or the small one Cascaded of Plata, “cascades of money”.

LAGUNA LACHUA

Extending on a surface from 14,500 hectares, in the North-West of Coban, the national beautiful park of Laguna Lachua where the famous lake is, preserves a luxuriant biodiversity. One counts there more than 300 species of birds. Laguna Lachua is primarily known for the turquoise color of its lake. While crossing a vast green forest to reach the lake, you will see a broad variety of migratory birds, falcons, hummingbirds, eagles, vultures, nice or of will tangaras… At the end of the day, you install comfortably and benefit from the splendid sunset on the lake. The quietude of the place and the cries of birds will offer to you a feeling of wellness far from any kind of pollution or disturbance.

PIEDRAS NEGRAS

Piedras Negras is an acropolis in accessible ruin only by boat. It is located west of the Maya Biosphere and constitutes the greatest Mayan site at the edge of Usumacinta. It is made up of several palaces and courses perched with a hundred meters with the top of the river. The site, famous for its carved monuments remained very preserved because of its moved back situation. It is here that the specialists decoded for the first unquestionable time glyphes.

EL MIRADOR

Located north of the area of Petén, El Mirador is a city of the preclassical era which preserves the unexplainable mysteries of the Mayas. American archaeologists discovered this Maya cultural basin in 1930. Before exploring the sites, you will see by far as of agricultural fields, of the negligible forests and the hamlets. The adventurers will adore this small adventure in the Maya biosphere to discover their old ceremonial center. To see the archaeological site of El Tintal, you will have initially to cross a dense vegetation. You will be able to also visit Sacbé before reaching the monumental site of El Mirador. You will undoubtedly be admiring in front of its colossal buildings which reach more than 50 meters height, of which the majestic architectural complex of Danta (72m).

GRUTAS OF LANQUIN AND SEMUC CHAMPEY

Being part of the most beautiful natural wonders of the country, the site of Semuc Champey and the caves of Lanquin abound in a diversity of remarkable landscapes, far from mass tourism. Lanquin is characterized by its network of caves to the charm particular, traversed by the river of Cohabon, and sometimes inhabited colonies of bald people mouse. After this visit, take the road towards the splendid natural site of Semuc Champey, perched in the middle of the forest of Alta Verapaz. Cascades of dreamed, natural turquoise water basins, orchises of all colors, lakes… will find there you a true paradise lost in nature!

LIVINGSTON

The town of Livingston in Guatemala will plunge you in an environment and a culture completely caribéennes. You will be able to impregnate habits of the people garifuna, an ethnic group of West-Indian origin, but also of Ladinos (mongrel of Spanish origin) and the Asian ones. Between beaches, festivals and gastronomy, Livingston books a stay perfectly relaxed to you. During your stay with Livingston, you can attend dances and traditional festivals of the Garafuna ethnos group. For one moment of relaxation, join the beaches of Playa Blanca and Playa Quehueche. Not far from the second, you will be able to visit the nature reserve of 7 Altares in order to discover its seven natural pools encrusted in full medium with a tropical jungle.

QUIRIGA ET COPAN

Quirigua and Copan are two incredible Mayan sites of Guatemala. Located in the department of Izabal, these Aztec cities lost with the hollow of the jungle are of a mysterious splendour which you will be able to admire closely. In the site of Quirigua, you will see most impressive and large steles zoomorphes of the Maya world. It preserves admirable monuments of the 8th century, like blocks of stone cut in figures of crowned characters and animals as well as finely carved calendars. As for the archaeological complex of Copan, he dissociates himself by the details of his sculptures and his works of art dating from the 7th century after J. - C. Most monuments are made out of precious stones. During your visit, red and blue parrots will hold you company! After the visit, also discover the pretty village of Río Dulce.

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